Dr. John MacEachran steps down as Head of the Alberta Eugenics Board

June 30, 1965. The initial Eugenics Board members were Dr. E. Pope (Edmonton), Dr. E. G. Mason (Calgary), Dr. J. M. MacEachran, the Provost of the University of Alberta, and a secretary, Mrs. J. W. Field. MacEachran remained Chairman of the Board from its inception in 1928 up until 1965, when he retired. The purpose of the Eugenics Board was to administer the provinces’ sexual sterilization program and determine whether individuals should be sterilized on a case-by-case basis. The Board was appointed upon the passing of the Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act.

It is of interest to note that board turnover was generally minimal. It seemed to take illness, death, or war for a Board member to step down from his/her duties. In the entire period during which the Board was in operation, only twenty-one board members were involved, and only two Chairmen (primarily MacEachran).

Dr. J. M MacEachran retired in 1945, but continued in his position on the Eugenics Board until formally resigned from his position June 30, 1965. He was succeeded by R. K. Thomson, who saw the Alberta Eugenics Board through to the repeal of the Sexual Sterilization Act in 1972.From its first meeting in January 1929 to its final meeting in 1972, the AEB considered 4785 cases, the majority of which were approved, resulting in 2832 sterilizations.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Grekul, J. (2002). The Social Construction of the Feebleminded Threat: Implementation of the Sexual Sterilization Act in Alberta, 1929-1972. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Dr. John MacEachran steps down as Head of the Alberta Eugenics Board

June 30, 1965. The initial Eugenics Board members were Dr. E. Pope (Edmonton), Dr. E. G. Mason (Calgary), Dr. J. M. MacEachran, the Provost of the University of Alberta, and a secretary, Mrs. J. W. Field. MacEachran remained Chairman of the Board from its inception in 1928 up until 1965, when he retired. The purpose of the Eugenics Board was to administer the provinces’ sexual sterilization program and determine whether individuals should be sterilized on a case-by-case basis. The Board was appointed upon the passing of the Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act.

It is of interest to note that board turnover was generally minimal. It seemed to take illness, death, or war for a Board member to step down from his/her duties. In the entire period during which the Board was in operation, only twenty-one board members were involved, and only two Chairmen (primarily MacEachran).

Dr. J. M MacEachran retired in 1945, but continued in his position on the Eugenics Board until formally resigned from his position June 30, 1965. He was succeeded by R. K. Thomson, who saw the Alberta Eugenics Board through to the repeal of the Sexual Sterilization Act in 1972.From its first meeting in January 1929 to its final meeting in 1972, the AEB considered 4785 cases, the majority of which were approved, resulting in 2832 sterilizations.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Grekul, J. (2002). The Social Construction of the Feebleminded Threat: Implementation of the Sexual Sterilization Act in Alberta, 1929-1972. (Doctoral dissertation). University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.